NUGD: 2020 Martin OM-28 Reimagined

beatcomber · #1 03-16-2021, 04:36 PM

I just received today a guitar that I have been desiring for several years, a Martin OM-28. I've wanted one ever since playing one at The Music Emporium a couple of years ago. I found myself in the position of having the cash to purchase one, but finding a new one for less than the list price proved challenging, unless I was willing to wait untold months for dealers to get them back in stock.

A fellow on The Gear Page listed a September 2020 OM-28 for sale, and it had a particularly lovely grain pattern on the back ("like two rivers flowing towards the neck"). The asking price was about the same as one would expect to pay for a new one under normal circumstances, and I was prepared to wait a year until the market normalized if I had to, but the seller and I were able to make a deal that I felt good about.

The guitar was delivered today and left outside by FedEx (even though a signature was supposed to be required), and the temperature was a balmy 28 degrees. I was patient and allowed the package to gradually acclimate for several hours, and the guitar was just fine once I finally got it out of the case. Whew.

Anyway... the guitar is truly lovely, the set-up is perfect, and it's everything I'd hoped it would be.

Incidentally, I had some trepidation about the aging toner Martin is using on these guitars, a lot of the ones I see in YouTube reviews, etc. look oddly yellow, and not in a naturally aged way. To my relief, the actual color of my guitar is comparable to a pale manila folder, more of a cream color than yellow. I know it will darken with age, as it should, but the base color looks absolutely fine to me.

Oh, and the Martin molded case is nice but it really smells awful. I sure hope that chemical odor goes away eventually. Having owned for the past two years an 000-15SM with its intoxicating aroma of mahogany, the difference is like a punch in the face.

llew · #2 03-16-2021, 04:39 PM

Big congrats! The OM-28 is such a great guitar! Enjoy it!

LeDave · #3 03-16-2021, 04:40 PM

That is beautiful! Congratulations. As for FedEx situation. I was at the door the moment they delivered my guitar, I asked if they needed signature and they said no despite tracking saying it is required.

Noff · #4 03-16-2021, 04:41 PM

Gosh, that's a pretty one! Congrats on getting exactly what you wanted. Play the heck out of it now

egordon99 · #5 03-16-2021, 04:41 PM

Congrats! Yeah, that back is really cool! Happy Picking!

beatcomber · #6 03-16-2021, 04:57 PM

Thanks for the nice replies, everyone.

I know there are much more expensive guitars out there, but this was still quite a stretch for me to buy. Who knows what the future will bring, but I bought this guitar intending for it to be my 'forever' guitar. Fortunately my first impression is very good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noff

Play the heck out of it now

Since this guitar is only a few months old, and even though it's a secondhand guitar, one of things I am looking forward to is seeing how the tone evolves and blooms as it breaks in. I know that my 000-15SM was already a completely transformed guitar even just one year after I bought it brand new.

Fred · #7 03-16-2021, 05:03 PM

Looks like a lifetimer to me. There are strategies for improving the odor in the case. If you ask, people will suggest.

fartamis · #8 03-16-2021, 05:07 PM

A classic and a super nice guitar congratulations.

beatcomber · #9 03-16-2021, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred

There are strategies for improving the odor in the case. If you ask, people will suggest.

I'm all ears!

What should I try? Old newspapers, bags of rice, ground coffee, or maybe weed?

beatcomber · #10 03-16-2021, 05:32 PM

I see this topic has been covered before...
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...odor%20removal.

LeDave · #11 03-16-2021, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatcomber

I see this topic has been covered before...
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...odor%20removal.

Yeah back in '16 though. This thread could be a refresher

beatcomber · #12 03-16-2021, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeDave

Yeah back in '16 though. This thread could be a refresher

I see what you did there!

llew · #13 03-16-2021, 05:40 PM

Old used car trick is to cut an apple in half and put it under the front seats. Might work in your guitar case with the guitar on a stand of course. And of course direct sunlight is great on a nice day.

Lillis · #14 03-16-2021, 05:46 PM

That’s a really nice combo of guitars. I still can’t believe I sold my 00015SM.

Scotso · #15 03-16-2021, 06:23 PM

OM 28s are better than most dreads